Movingui
Distemonanthus benthamianus • Exotic/Tropical Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Interlocked grain, which frequently produces a beautiful ribbon-stripe figure. Highly wavy or ripples visible in the sample suggest possible mottle or fiddleback figure when finished.
Color Description
Heartwood is a light to golden yellow, sometimes with a citrus or orangish cast. Sapwood is a paler yellow-white and not always clearly demarcated from heartwood. The wood frequently exhibits high luster and chatoyance.
Hardness Rating
1,230 lbf (Hard)
Durability Rating
Moderately Durable to Durable; heartwood shows good resistance to rot and termites, though it is not recommended for direct ground contact without treatment.
Common Uses
Veneer, fine furniture, cabinetry, flooring, turned objects, and boatbuilding (interior trim). Often used as a substitute for Satinwood.
Geographic Origin
West and Central Africa (primarily Cameroon, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria).
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
Mid-range exotic; approximately $12.00 to $18.00 per board foot depending on the intensity of the figure.
Wood Age Estimate
Relatively recent milling; the sample shows light oxidation, clean sharp edges, and no significant patina or weathering, suggesting it is a modern stock piece.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Generally considered a sustainable alternative to more threatened tropical woods.
Workability
Generally easy to work, though interlocked grain can cause tearout during planing or surfacing. It has a high silica content which can dull cutting edges quickly. Glues and finishes well.
Notable Features
Distinctively lustrous with a golden yellow glow. It lacks a characteristic odor. The high silica content is a primary mechanical trait for identification.
Finish Recommendations
Best suited for clear finishes that enhance chatoyance, such as high-gloss lacquer or polyurethane. Penetrating oils also work well but may slightly darken the vibrant yellow hue.
Identification Confidence
High; the combination of the vibrant yellow color, distinct interlocked ribbon grain, and the specific texture consistent with West African legumes like Distemonanthus is characteristic of Movingui.